Impact Feature Issue on Children with Disabilities in the Child Welfare System

The National Adoption Information Clearinghouse Web site offers information on state-funded adoption assistance programs in each of the states. The clearinghouse, a service of the Children's Bureau, Administration for Children and Families, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, provides details on the following for each state:

Who is Eligible for Adoption Assistance?

• What specific factors or conditions does your State consider to determine that a child cannot be placed with adoptive parents without providing financial assistance? ("What is your State definition of special needs?")
• What are the eligibility criteria for your State-funded adoption assistance program?
• What is the maximum amount a family may receive in non-recurring adoption expenses from your State? (Adoptive parents can receive reimbursement of certain approved, "one-time" adoption expenses incurred in the process of finalizing a special needs adoption).
• Does your State enter into deferred adoption assistance agreements? (In some States, adoptive parents can enter into an agreement in which they choose to defer the receipt of a Medicaid card, the monthly monetary payment, or both and can elect to receive the Medicaid card and/or monetary payment at another time.)
• When may adoption assistance payments and benefits begin in your State?
• How are changes made to the adoption assistance agreement in your State?

Post-Adoption Services

• What types of post adoption services are available in your State and how do you find out more about them?

Medical Assistance

• What mental health services are provided by your State?
• Does your State provide additional finances or services for medical or therapeutic needs not covered under your State medical plan to children receiving adoption assistance?

Fair Hearings

• What is your State's process for applying for a fair hearing? (A fair hearing is a legal, administrative procedure that provides a forum to address disagreements with agency decisions).

Web/Internet Links

• What is your State Web address for general adoption information?
• What is your State Web address for adoption assistance information?
• What is your State Web address for State-specific medical assistance information for children?